Liveblog: Eastern Semifinal Game 3: Canadiens win 4-2, take series lead

Ginette is undefeated in the playoffs

First-period goals by Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban gave to Canadiens a lead, and Dale Weise made it 3-0 in the second period.

A remarkable redirection by Patrice Bergeron set up a tense third-period.

Andrej Meszaros made it a one-goal lead with 2:16 left. But with Tuukka Rask on the bench for an extra attacker, the Canadiens held the fort and got an empty-net goal by Lars Eller.

Boston outshot the Canadiens 28-26.

Never easy

A late goal by Andrej Meszaros made things interesting.

But the Canadiens withstood two-plus minutes of Boston pressure, and Lars Eller potted an empty-netter to seal the deal.

Third period should be special

Dale Weise took a great head-man pass from Daniel Brière and beat Rask to make it 3-0.

But with a shade over two minutes left, Patrice Bergeron redirected a Torey Krug point shot past Carey Price.

Shots in the period aere 12-12.

Hang on to your hats for the third.

Dangerous lead?

The Canadiens withstood an early Boston surge and got goals from Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban to take a 2-0 lead.

P.K.'s goal was spectacular. Fresh out of the penalty box, he took a Lars Eller feed and deked Tuukka Rask.

Canadiens outshot the Bruins 10-9 and outhit them 17-11.

Must-win?

It's not an elimination game.

But after being outplayed twice in Boston – while gaining a split – the Canadiens will have to be better on home ice in Game 3.

Carey Price has been superb in the series, as has P.K. Subban. The Canadiens' power-play has clicked on four of its nine advantages, and the penalty-kill is is 6-for-6.

But the Canadiens are strugling at even strength. And the top line of David Desharnais, Max Pacioretty and Thomas Vanek has underwhelmed. Boston's comebacks in Games 1 and 2 have included long stretches of chaos in the Canadiens' defensive zone. And Price's heroics have been accomplished despite a parade of Bruins crashing the net and effectively screening point shots.

Crease-clearing defenceman Douglas Murray is expected to draw in for Francis Bouillon.